Medication Assistance

Pharmacy Connect Program

Through the participation of many pharmaceutical companies, over 1,186 applications were submitted on the behalf of patients in 2007.  Currently there are around 161 active patients enrolled on a regular basis in the program who receive monthly maintenance medicaitons.

The primary purpose of the program is to provide essential medical services to uninsured and medically under served residents.  Medications are as critical to the patient's care as the patient's diagnosis.  Yet, prescriptions can be extremely costly to fill and maintain, thereby making effective treatment beyond the reach of many uninsured patients.

Too often, patients with limited incomes try to expand the supply of their prescription medications by taking half or quarter doses, essentially giving the patient subtherapeutic blood levels thereby rendering the treatment suboptimal or ineffective.  By assisting patients through the laborious process of patient eligbility and application, clients can gain access to these services.

The approximate total average retail price of the medications ordered in 2007 was 283,467.44.  A full time technician exists for the highly visible Pharmacy Connect Program.  This program exists in conjunction with the Virginia Health Care Foundation and Mountain Empire Older Citizens Agency to broaden the service base to assist not only our clients but others in the community that requires assistance with medications. If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about getting assistance with your medications please contact Heather Mays at The Health Wagon.  A printable Pharmacy Connect application is also avaialbe.